Sat Jan 11 12:42:29 UTC 2025: ## Bandits Ambush and Kill 21 Pro-Government Fighters in Katsina, Nigeria
**Katsina, Nigeria –** At least 21 members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC), a state-backed militia, were killed in a bandit ambush in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, on Tuesday. The attack occurred in the village of Baure, Safana district, as the convoy returned from a colleague’s funeral.
Katsina police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed the death toll to AFP, stating that police are actively pursuing the perpetrators. However, conflicting reports from witnesses to Nigeria’s Premium Times suggest the death toll may be as high as 25, with additional villagers missing.
The KCWC, established in 2023 by Governor Dikko Umar Radda, comprises approximately 2,000 individuals assisting security forces in combating the escalating banditry plaguing the region. This latest attack highlights the ongoing struggle against armed groups who frequently raid villages, kidnap residents, and destroy property across Northwest and Central Nigeria. The bandits operate from vast forest camps spanning multiple states. Past attacks have included mass kidnappings of schoolchildren.
The incident follows a June 2024 attack in the state that left at least seven dead and 100 kidnapped. While Boko Haram has also been active in the area, this attack is attributed to the bandits, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing Katsina State and the broader region. Police have been deployed to the affected area to restore order.
First Piper 